The leading global men’s health organization, Movember, is reminding everyone that in 2020, this will be the most important Mo (moustache) you will ever grow. In what has been a tougher year than most, the charity is calling on our community to unite to raise funds that will stop men from dying too young. And because we at the Center of Men’s Excellence take supporting men’s issues very personally, we invite you to donate to our Founder, Dr. Singley’s Movember page!
What is Movember?
Movember is an annual movement that is all about increasing awareness of men’s health issues. This movement encompasses generating support and providing information to help prevent suicide in men, improve the quality of life of men affected by prostate and testicular cancer, understand health risks, and promote action to decrease risks.
Why should we focus on suicide prevention?
- Suicide is 1 of the top 10 leading causes of death in the U.S. and is a significant public health issue
- In 2017, over 47,000 people died by suicide in the U.S.
- 75% of suicides in the U.S. are men
- On average, there are 129 suicides per day
- Men are 54 times more likely to die by suicide than women
- Suicide is complicated and tragic, but it is often preventable. Knowing the warning signs for suicide and how to get help can help save lives.
Why are men more prone to suicide?
Research suggests examining masculinity as a way to understand the gap in suicide between men and women. A study found that male attitudes and behaviors towards seeking help can affect their health (i.e., when its ok to seek help). Other research has focused on the link between masculinity and health behaviors, which indicates that males who endorse traditional masculine beliefs tend to be less likely to have a physical exam, more likely to use substances, engage in high-risk sexual activity, and be more likely to experience stress or anger. Because men commonly demonstrate an unwillingness to seek help, they are reinforcing the stereotypical description of how men are portrayed in popular culture; men should display stoicism, toughness, and self-reliance. Due to the perceived social expectations that men are to embody these aforementioned characteristics, they are less likely to seek psychological help. This is one of the reasons as to why suicide rates remain higher for men than women.
Somethings got to change! What can we do?
Movember encourages you to BE A MAN OF MORE WORDS as stronger social connections can reduce the risk of suicide. That means more men talking about stuff that really matters. Those conversations don’t always come easy, but there are many who are here to help. To have conversations with the men in your life who might be struggling, Movember recommends following four simple steps
- Ask—Start by asking how he’s feeling. It’s worth mentioning any changes you’ve picked up on: has he stopped replying to texts? Does he sound different on the phone? Has he gone quiet in the group chat?
- Listen—give him your fully attention. Let him know you’re hearing what he’s saying and you’re not judging. You don’t have to diagnose problems or offer solutions, but asking questions lets him know you’re listening.
- Encourage action—help him focus on simple things that might improve how he feels. Is he getting enough sleep? Is he exercising and eating well? Maybe there’s something that’s helped him in the past—its worth asking. Suggest that he share how he’s feeling with others he trusts. This will make things easier for both of you. And if he’s felt low for more than two weeks, suggest that he chat to his doctor.
- Check in—follow up your conversation with a phone call of FaceTime. This helps show that you care; plus, you’ll get a feel for whether he’s feeling any better.
To speak with someone immediately, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. If it is an emergency, call 911
With help Comes Hope!
Suicide prevention is just one of the many facets of men’s health covered under the Movember movement. To learn more about Movember and how you can help, visit the website at https://us.movember.com/?home. Every donation, no matter how small adds up. To donate to the cause, check out our MoSpace page!
Be sure to follow the Center for Men’s Excellence and post your Mo pix at: https://www.menexcel.com, Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram.
Source: Movember and PR Newswire
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